Gloucester Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Gloucester
Gloucester
Gloucester
Gloucester

Learn about this rural town’s gold mining heritage and enjoy outdoor pursuits among its Arctic beech forest, rushing river rapids and vineyards.

The small agricultural town of Gloucester has much more to offer than just timber and cattle. Trek through a UNESCO-listed rainforest, taste wine in vineyards, hurtle down rapids in a raft and go mountain biking in stunning national park surrounds.

The landscape of this region features some truly unforgettable scenery. Discover more about the history of the agricultural settlers at the Gloucester Museum, housed in the original Gloucester Shire Council Chambers building, which dates back to 1909. The museum displays a range of artefacts and memorabilia, from historical photographs to items used in daily pioneer life.

Wander around Gloucester town and admire the historic houses and school built during the 1800s. In the 19th century, gold was discovered in nearby Copeland. Find out more about the region’s gold-mining history on a guided tour of the Mountain Maid gold mine at Copeland Tops State Conservation Area. The Hidden Treasure hiking track weaves through the dry rainforest past an old stamper battery and the disused mine entrance.

Adventurers will love exploring Barrington Tops National Park, once the hideout of the notorious bushranger, Captain Thunderbolt (Fred Ward). The park also hosts Devil Ark, a conservation breeding programme for the Tasmanian devil. Book your visit in advance to ensure you see these characterful and very noisy marsupials.

Hike through a UNESCO-listed rainforest and prehistoric Gondwana-era Antarctic beech forest at Barrington Tops. Listen out for rustling in the undergrowth: lyrebird, black pademelon and wombats all dwell here.

Book a white-water adventure on the Barrington River or an abseiling excursion on the Bucketts rock formation. For something more relaxing, opt for a wine-tasting session at Tugwood Wines or Faulls Ridge winery.

Drive west from Forster for an hour to reach Gloucester in New South Wales. The town has a number of cafés and restaurants to choose from, many of which serve locally grown produce. A gateway to the natural playground of the Barrington, Gloucester has an abundance of things to see and do in all seasons.

Bucketts Way Motel

Bucketts Way Motel

3.5 out of 5
19 Church Street, Gloucester, NSW
The price is AU$161 per night from 6 Oct to 7 Oct
AU$161
6 Oct - 7 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star motel in Gloucester. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (246 reviews)
"Managers were friendly and very hospitable. I loved the lounge area with snooker table, bar and open fire. Just perfect for our weekend away with friends to gather before we headed out for dinner. Highly recommend."

Reviewed on 20 July 2025

Bucketts Way Motel
Rose Cottage

Rose Cottage

Gloucester
Stay at this B&B in Gloucester. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Saint Clements Historic Park and Gloucester Farmers Market ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (45 reviews)
"Clean, cozy."

Reviewed on 8 Sept 2025

Rose Cottage
Barrington Hideaway- River Cottages

Barrington Hideaway- River Cottages

4 out of 5
312 Thunderbolts Way, Gloucester, NSW
Stay at this 4-star cabin in Gloucester. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Gloucester Folk Museum and Billabong Native Garden ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (50 reviews)
"I would have stayed a week if I could have! More time to enjoy more cups of tea on the deck with the sound of birdsong and the gently flowing river below. This place is idyllic. Feels like the most secluded, peaceful place, but 5 minutes drive from the nearest pub or bakery. The owners were helpfully ..."

Reviewed on 29 Sept 2025

Barrington Hideaway- River Cottages
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Barrington Hideaway- River Cottages

Barrington Hideaway- River Cottages

4 out of 5
312 Thunderbolts Way, Gloucester, NSW
Stay at this 4-star cabin in Gloucester. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Gloucester Folk Museum and Billabong Native Garden ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (50 reviews)
"I would have stayed a week if I could have! More time to enjoy more cups of tea on the deck with the sound of birdsong and the gently flowing river below. This place is idyllic. Feels like the most secluded, peaceful place, but 5 minutes drive from the nearest pub or bakery. The owners were helpfully ..."

Reviewed on 29 Sept 2025

Barrington Hideaway- River Cottages
“A Secret place to slow down”

“A Secret place to slow down”

Gloucester
Stay at this cabin in Gloucester. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and patios. Popular attractions Gloucester Folk Museum and Billabong Native Garden are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (10 reviews)
Peaceful & perfect
"Sure! Here's a shorter version of the review:---A Secret Place to Slow Down lives up to its name, quiet, cozy, and beautifully set in nature. The space was spotless, thoughtfully decorated, and incredibly relaxing. Close enough to Gloucester’s attractions but tucked away enough to truly unplug. The ..."

Reviewed on 13 July 2025

“A Secret place to slow down”
"another secret place"

"another secret place"

Gloucester, NSW
Stay at this cabin in Gloucester. Enjoy air conditioning. Popular attractions Gloucester Folk Museum and Billabong Native Garden are located nearby.
10/10 Exceptional! (4 reviews)
Bellbird New Years stay 2025
"Sublime serenity perched high on the ridge..loved our stay and gave us a chance to relax post Christmas & NYE chaos.Thanks Dan."

Reviewed on 5 Jan 2025

"another secret place"
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Gloucester

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
18
5 - Excellent 55%
4 - Good
13
4 - Good 39%
3 - Okay
2
3 - Okay 6%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Very quite

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Gloucester is a convenient place to stop for a coffee/ meal when travelling to to and from Armidale and ideal overnight place as gateway to National Parks and in this instance 50 year anniversary celebrations for Barrington Tops NP

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

National parks

5/5 - Excellent

Hack

Do the pub called round a bout pub. Great meals and good price

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

This is a great stopover on our way to and from Newcastle.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Small. Not much happening and very reigous.

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